Russian

Russian

Overview

This is a course for either complete beginners or for those who already have GCSE Russian. As well as coursebook texts, you will work on video and audio materials in our multi media language labs, and a number of Internet and other interactive sources. All language work is firmly linked to contemporary issues and life in Russia and other Russian speaking countries. There are plenty of chances to develop your authentic Russian. You will have small group conversation sessions each week with our Russian assistant. By the end of year 12 you will be able to study short off-air news items in Russian, and make brief summaries. You will also watch and analyse one or two Russian feature films.

Course Outline

There are 3 components:

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Translation: Comprehension recordings and texts based on authentic material, translation into English

Paper 2: Writing and Translation: 2 essays in Russian on a book and a film, translation into Russian.

Assessment

No Coursework
Examination (100%)
Examining Board – EDEXCEL.
All students will take the A level at the end of Year 13.

Special Entry Requirements

• Beginners: There is no requirement for Modern Foreign Language experience at GCSE.
• Post-GCSE applicants: Grade 4 (C) in Russian is required, although most students have at least grade 6 (B).
• These requirements are in addition to our standard A level entry requirements.

Prohibited Options

Students do not normally study more than two languages.

Career and Progression Opportunities

Most students go on to take a degree involving languages. Joint degree combinations are very popular, for example combining Russian with another language, or Law, English, Business, Tourism, or indeed a wide range of other disciplines. Students going on to employment or training progress into areas such as retail and leisure and tourism.

Teaching Methods

You will develop language skills in a wide variety of ways, making full use of our two Multi-Media Language Labs and drawing on a range of sources from course books to Internet and satellite TV. In class you will carry out a lot of pair and group work designed to build up your communicative skills. Our VLE also has a range of interactive exercises including vocabulary learning and listening work. Each week, in addition to mainstream lessons, you will have contact with a native speaker through small group conversation sessions.

Cost Implications

Approximately £15 for a good bilingual dictionary. You will also need to buy the set text in Russian (approx £10).